Meet the newest band that is rocking Amherst. The Baxbys. I sat down with two of the band members Chris Sciucco and James Miller and asked them all the pressing questions their UMass fans have been wondering. When asked how they would describe the type of music their band plays, they said they aren’t looking to be put in a category, they are focused on writing and playing music that will attract a wide audience. “We’re just trying to bring interesting music back into the mainstream” Sciucco remarks. I attended a few shows myself and I can vouch that they are definitely rekindling some old favorites of the Amherst crowds. The shows are packed, full of supporters who know all the words to the songs by The Cure, The Strokes, and are even learning the words to their original songs like “Stay Trippy Weirdo.” While The Baxbys have only been a band for a little under a year now, when they are on stage they electrify the crowds. Lead singer Alex Nordlund hypes up the crowd and makes playful banter with the audience to keep them engaged. I asked the boys how they all found their way together and came up with the catchy name “The Baxbys”. Chris and James, who met as roommates in Central freshman year, both brought a person from their hometown to be in the band and they “weren’t sure if it was going to work.” After they had a couple jam sessions together, the band just clicked really well and there was no turning back.
As for the name, Alex came up with “Baxbys” by accident, while he was trying to remember another word. When Chris, James, and Spencer (bassist) heard it, they knew it was the one. Sciucco said, “it sounded like a family name and just had a good feel to it.” They try to play shows every other weekend, or as frequently as they can book gigs. I asked the guys if there are any rockstar superstitions they adhere to before a show, but shockingly it’s nothing out of the ordinary. James and Alex like to say a prayer before they go on and Chris does not like to practice the day of a show. While there isn’t really an established band scene for newcomers in Amherst, The Baxbys are hoping one is developing. In the future, they would love to play more official events, but they are digging the house party scene for now. As they solidify themselves as a known band around the Amherst area, the band is excited to show their audience more original songs. James described the songwriting process as a simple one; “someone has a vocal or instrumental idea” and they work on the music before figuring out what the song is going to be about. It is clear to see that these four Connecticut musicians were meant to play in a band together. They love to be on stage and the audience can feel that at every show. If you love music, you’ll love the Baxbys. Follow them @thebaxbys on Instagram to catch one of their upcoming shows; you won’t regret it!
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